NAIROBI, Kenya – Super Metro Ltd, one of the city’s largest matatu Saccos, has launched a legal battle against the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) over the suspension of its operating license.
The Sacco has filed an appeal with the Transport Licensing Appeals Board, calling the suspension “arbitrary, unjust, and malicious,” and warning that the move could cripple its operations and jeopardize thousands of livelihoods.
The dispute stems from NTSA’s decision on February 18, 2025, to revoke Super Metro’s license, citing multiple violations of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) regulations.
The authority accused the Sacco of failing to comply with safety standards, including vehicle inspection and licensing failures, speed limiter violations, and employing unqualified drivers.
According to NTSA, 15 of Super Metro’s 523 vehicles had expired inspection certificates, eight had lapsed Road Service Licenses, and 294 were flagged for speed limiter infractions, including expired certificates and vehicles exceeding the 80 km/h speed limit.
However, Super Metro has denied these allegations, dismissing them as “outdated and unfounded.”
In its appeal, the Sacco argues that the suspension was based on “conjecture and insufficiently investigated facts,” and that the reported infractions involved only a small fraction of its fleet, which had already been rectified before the suspension took effect.
“NTSA’s decision is capricious and unreasonable,” said a spokesperson for Super Metro.
“We have invested heavily in aligning our operations with regulatory requirements, and the issues raised were addressed well before the suspension. This action not only undermines our business but also harms the thousands of drivers, conductors, and their families who depend on us.”
The Sacco claims that all vehicles with expired inspection certificates and Road Service Licenses were renewed prior to the suspension.
Additionally, it stated that any issues with speed limiters were promptly resolved in collaboration with vendors, ensuring full compliance with NTSA standards.
On the matter of unqualified drivers, Super Metro clarified that 64 drivers who allegedly failed retests on March 10, 2025, had already completed retraining and recertification three weeks earlier, as per regulations.
“All affected drivers are now fully qualified to operate our vehicles,” the Sacco said in a statement. “NTSA’s claims are not only inaccurate but also fail to reflect the corrective measures we have taken to ensure compliance.”
The suspension has sparked a heated debate about the balance between regulatory enforcement and the economic impact on public transport operators.
Super Metro, which operates over 500 vehicles and serves thousands of commuters daily, argues that the suspension disproportionately punishes the entire Sacco for what it describes as minor, isolated infractions.
NTSA, however, maintains that the suspension was necessary to ensure compliance and protect the safety of passengers and other road users.
“The decision was necessitated by the need to ensure the company is not only compliant but has also implemented safety measures to safeguard lives,” the authority stated.
